Bay Area Conservation Priorities Map

this document was found at: http://www.markwestwatershed.org/documents/Cornell_Winery_Documents/MarkWestCreek%20As%20Priority%20Conservation%20Area/008%20ABAG%20Region%20Priority%20Conservation%20Areas%20Map%2011x17%20&%20Table.pdf

http://www.markwestwatershed.org/

A New Year's 2009 Message from Rare Earth News

Dear Friends,

Rare Earth News is an on-line journal tracking the measurable progress of ongoing projects to make California the greenest state in the nation. We also cover the politics and lawsuits that are part of this massive undertaking. While large groups often grab the spotlight, a lot of great work is being done by grassroots environmental groups across the state. We aim to point that out; they need your support.

The projects we cover include:

--acquisition and preservation of the California "Mega-Park", an interconnected 1000-mile California park system, that preserves our farmland, working forests and wildlife habitats from expanded urban sprawl;

--creation of a rail transit system that will directly compete with cars to significantly cut air pollution;

--construction of clean power projects using solar and wind energy to attain independence from not only hostile foreign nations but also from greedy oil companies and their monopoly on fossil fuels, and

--removing the concrete from our urban creeks and rivers and implementing zero-waste technologies to stop the pollution of our natural areas and ocean with chemicals and trash.

By tracking our successes, we can make certain we continue moving forward, not falling backward, as sometimes happened under the Bush administration. With the election of Barack Obama as President, I am hopeful that we finally have a president and congress that care about domestic issues, the environment and global warming; people we can work with, rather than fight against.

HERE IS A SHORT SUMMARY OF 2008'S BIG STORIES:

In 2008, we saw some of the biggest enviro-wreckers go broke.

At Least 90,000 acres were Preserved statewide in 2008. See Our 2008 Update to the California Conservation Lands Inventory:
http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2009/01/at-least-90000-acres-were-preserved-in.html%20

On the North Coast, we have new management at Pacific Lumber that promises to end clear-cutting and bring back sustainable, long-term logging practices. In Mendocino County, land trusts have acquired huge tracts of forest company lands formerly held by Georgia-Pacific.

In the Bay area, strong urban growth boundaries in each county are keeping urban sprawl in tight control, while voters and land trusts are making sure that threatened properties and "development rights" are being bought up to expand the Bay Ridge trail system and keep farmlands green.

On the Central Coast, both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties have newly progressive majorities on their boards of supervisors. (Environmentalists have vowed to fight two large projects pushed through by the lame duck supervisors.) In Ventura County, we have one of the toughest systems of urban growth boundaries, which has preserved a farmland greenbelt between nearly every city.

In largely built-out L.A. County, construction of the 55 mile Backbone trail in the Santa Monica Mountains is complete. Two of the biggest developments on natural lands are stopped in their tracks. The Newhall Land Company is bankrupt, its parent having defaulted on a billion dollar loan. Newhall controls over 100,000 acres northwest of the L.A. sprawl. In early 2008 the state supreme court rejected an appeal from Playa Vista; their 110 acre project in West L.A. near the Ballona Wetlands is stopped cold. Several key wildlife corridor parcels were also saved this year, completing the Los Cerritos and Palos Verdes preserves. Meanwhile, baby steps were made to unpave and restore rivers in order to clean up urban storm water pollution and voters approved a sales tax hike to fund more rail transit.

In the Central Valley, lawsuits flared against the biggest timber owner Sierra Pacific Industries; Stanislaus County voters decided to take control of sprawl, and the biggest sprawl project there went bankrupt. The state launched an ambitious plan to create 13 new parks in the Central Valley. Finally, the state killed the Auburn dam project on the American River.

In the desert and South Coast, proposed wind and solar farms created both the opportunity for clean energy and controversy over threats to wildlife and huge power lines through existing parks. The feds, also, however, proposed to convert even more of the desert to military base land, a much-more destructive possibility. And finally, both the state and federal governments put the nail in the coffin to a tollroad through a coastline state park.

It's been a very exciting and interesting year at Rare Earth News and the California Mega-Park Project.

---Rex Frankel, the editor

FOR LINKS TO ALL THE ARTICLES WE HAVE POSTED IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, CLICK HERE:

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001sGVCflSi-8wSy4yay-gvzY7YY6E3xiIYowf2TcQalyx0-Ax6fc7O_m7XHkdqxf4bDCukWib2F0a1ObKeYVKELlxIzHzaUcBFq312beFTen1ENhDp9_Ae3zvPfBk7ZbpV

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At Least 90,000 acres were Preserved in 2008

Our 2008 Update to our California Conservation Lands Inventory

Previous editions are at http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/over-130000-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html and http://connectingcalifornia.org/

Point Mugu State Park, December 2008

NORTH COAST:

Del Norte county, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/search/label/Del%20Norte

650 acres and298 acres

Humboldt county:

39 acres at Freshwater Lagoon, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-redwoods-league-2007-8-land.html

216 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/redwoods-league-buys-mattole-land-for.html

15 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/preservation-of-223-acres-of-coastline.html

44 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/preservation-of-223-acres-of-coastline.html

Mendocino county:

401 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-redwoods-league-2007-8-land.html

5.8 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/land-purchases-on-september-25th.html

64 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/feds-actually-give-almost-18-million-to.html

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SF BAY AREA:

Alameda County:

74 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/258-acres-in-sonoma-and-east-s.html

Contra Costa county:

17 acres and 35 acres in Marsh Creek, and 153 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/measure-w-in-east-sf-bay-will-help.html

333 acres at Chaparral Springs, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/land-purchases-on-september-25th.html

423 acres in Franklin Canyon, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/picturesque-franklin-canyon-in-east-sf.html

2000 acres funded by the feds, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/feds-actually-give-almost-18-million-to.html

Marin county:

2094 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/year-end-message-from-marin-county.html

Napa county:

113 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-redwoods-league-2007-8-land.html

800 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/another-800-acres-opened-to-public.html

673 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/land-purchases-on-september-25th.html

1000 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/coastal-conservancy-votes-on-crucial.html

San Mateo County:

1047 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/coastal-conservancy-votes-on-crucial.html

Santa Clara County:

28,359 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/02/protecting-heart-of-mount-hamilton.html

Sonoma county:

283 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/258-acres-in-sonoma-and-east-s.html

5630 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/public-and-private-to-save-5630-acre.html

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CENTRAL VALLEY/SIERRAS:

Butte County:

582 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

Calaveras County:

413 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/413-acres-saved-in-sierra-foothills-by.html

El Dorado County:

45 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

558 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/558-acres-are-saved-on-american-river.html

Madera county:

1080 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/1080-acre-madera-county-ranch-conserved.html

Merced county:

2912 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

Placer county:

912 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/912-acre-oak-preserve-completed-in.html

21 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/feds-actually-give-almost-18-million-to.html

Sierra County:

982 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

Tehama county:

1440 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/spectacular-1440-acre-childs-meadow.html

Tulare county:

11 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-redwoods-league-2007-8-land.html

Yolo county:

685 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

3450 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/01/fresno-area-water-district-buys-large.html

Yuba county:

180 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/western-aggregates-and-group-announce.html

529 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

--------------------------------------------

CENTRAL COAST:

Monterey county:

4300 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/03/iconic-mt-toro-vista-protected-dorrance.html

San Luis Obispo county:

5500 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/pumping-up-slos-montana-de-oro-plan.html

838 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/slo-is-poised-to-add-to-greenbelt-most.html

180 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/san-luis-obispo-land-trust-saves-over.html

Santa Cruz county:

486 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/3016-acres-on-coastline-purchased-at.html

http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

64 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/preservation-of-223-acres-of-coastline.html

100 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/save-redwoods-league-2007-8-land.html

Santa Barbara county:

20 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

2725 acre conservation easement, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

143 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/143-acres-of-pristine-san-luis-obispo.html

3900 acre PXP land deal, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/oil-firm-foes-strike-major-deal-on.html

23 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/02/santa-barbara-county-ranch-is-saved.html

Ventura county:

53 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/3016-acres-on-coastline-purchased-at.html

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:

Los Angeles:

Lots of properties, the biggest are:

825 acres in Corral canyon, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/long-sought-corral-canyon-addition-to.html

320 acres in Soledad canyon, [Map] [Staff Report] [Map] [Staff Report]

220 acres in Palos Verdes, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/land-purchases-on-september-25th.html

175 acres in the Verdugo Mountains, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/01/developers-donate-175-hillside-acres-in.html

175 acre Los Cerritos wetlands, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/land-swap-saves-last-unprotected-large.html

Mono county:

1460 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/eastern-sierra-land-trust-lots-of-local.html

80 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/01/blm-opens-donated-land-near-granite.html

Orange county:

4.5 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/land-purchases-on-september-25th.html

140 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/county-to-fund-restoration-of-140-acres.html

10 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/coastal-conservancy-votes-on-crucial.html

Riverside county:

Coachella preserve completed

80 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

260 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

422 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

2869 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/feds-actually-give-almost-18-million-to.html

San Diego:

1100 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/11/1100-acres-added-to-anza-borrego-park.html

29 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/another-9511-acres-of-wildlife-habitat.html

481 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/10/back-country-land-trust-donates-481.html

230 acres, 1080 acres, 1020 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/04/feds-actually-give-almost-18-million-to.html

1000 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/01/nature-conservancy-buys-1000-acres-so.html

385 acres, http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/12/deal-reached-to-save-el-cajon-mountain.html

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A Look at the Benefits of California’s Voter-Created UGB’s: Urban Growth Boundaries

12/30/2008

Compiled by Rex Frankel

UGB’s are direct-democracy over urbanization, where voters take direct control of development decisions from politicians to prevent the spread of urban sprawl into farmlands and wildlife areas. Combined with well-funded parks agencies and land trusts, UGB’s have helped to permanently preserve a balance between economic development and environmental and farmland protection, preserving 100’s of thousands of acres of land. Here is (hopefully) a complete list of UGB’s and other forms of direct-democracy-over-developments in California:

NORTH SF BAY AREA:

Sonoma:

CITIES WITH URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES:

Healdsburg (71%), Cotati (71% of the vote), Petaluma (79%), Santa Rosa (59%), Sebastopol (66%), Windsor (72%). The only city without a UGB is Cloverdale: http://www.greenbelt.org/regions/sonomamarin/camp_cloverdale.html

http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/AboutSLT/default.html

has saved 19,000 acres since 1976

http://www.sonomaopenspace.org/Content/10000/general_manager.html

Since 1992, the District has preserved over 33,000 acres of productive farmland using conservation easements and outright purchase

------------------------

Marin:

CITIES WITH URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES: Novato (70%),

http://www.malt.org/about/index.php

Since its birth, the organization has permanently preserved over 40,500 acres of farmland that might otherwise have been sold or developed.—buys conservation easements on farmland

http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/Main/mcosd/home.asp

winter 2007-2008 newsletter: In 1972, Marin residents set a vision, a course, a new countywide plan with the goal to preserve 26,000 acres. Half of those acres are now protected as Open Space preserves. Another page says 18,000 acres saved or 34 parks totaling 14,675 acres

--------------------------------------------------

Napa:

Ag conversion to urban requires vote of entire county, extended to 2058 in 11/2008 election

City of Napa UGB adopted with 77% yes vote.

http://www.napalandtrust.org/

We have preserved over 50,000 acres of land

http://napaoutdoors.org/about-the-district

In November of 2006 Napa County voters approved Measure I establishing the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District.

----------------------------------

Solano County:

CITIES WITH URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES: Fairfield and Benicia approved in 11/2003. Vacaville city council adopted an UGB in 2008.

Countywide ag conversion to urban requiring vote of public extended to 2028 in 11/2008 election

http://www.solanolandtrust.org/

Since its founding in 1986, Solano Land Trust has permanently protected 19,403 acres of land for the current and future residents of Solano County.

-------------------------------------------------

SOUTH SF BAY

San Mateo County:

Mid Peninsula Regional Open Space District, http://www.openspace.org/

Owns over 57,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties

http://www.openspacetrust.org/about/index.html

Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving 60,000 acres as permanent open space and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.

---------------------------------------------

Santa Clara County:

CITIES WITH URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES: Milpitas (55% yes vote), San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Monte Sereno, Palo Alto.

http://www.openspaceauthority.org/about/index.html

jurisdiction includes all of SC county except the territory of Mid Peninsula ROSD;

has saved 14,494 acres: http://www.openspaceauthority.org/preservation/protected.html

EAST SF BAY:

Alameda:

URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES: in the East county and Castro Valley—passed 11/2000

--City of Pleasanton UGB, passed with 75% yes vote.

http://www.ebparks.org/

the East Bay Regional Park District spans more than 98,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties,

Contra Costa:

http://www.greenbelt.org/resources/press/clippings/archives/2001-2005/clip_2005dec2005.html

“In 1990, county voters directed the county to adopt an urban limit line that ensured no more than 35% of the county would be developed. The county adopted a loose urban limit line at first, and in 2000 it tightened the boundary by 14,000 acres, angering a number of city officials. Although the urban limit line is a policy of the county and not the cities, the Local Agency Formation Commission largely abided by the county-drawn boundary.”

http://www.greenbelt.org/regions/eastbay/camp_tassajara.html

Voters approved the Contra Costa County Urban Limit Line in November 2006, putting Tassajara Valley off-limits to development.

http://www.muirheritagelandtrust.org/propertiespreserved.htm

the Muir Heritage Land Trust has permanently preserved over 2000 acres of natural area in Contra Costa County

CENTRAL COAST:

Santa Barbara:

City of Santa Barbara—UGB passed by City Council

City of Buellton UGB, passed in 11/2008 by voters

------------

San Luis Obispo County:

Measure M to require a countywide vote to convert agricultural or open space lands outside of existing cities to urban was rejected by voters in 2000.

---------------------

Santa Cruz County:

http://www.sempervirens.org/

has successfully saved over 21,000 acres of redwood forest lands in the Santa Cruz Mountains;

new map: http://www.sempervirens.org/completed.htm

-------------------------

Ventura County:

UGB’s for all cities and county adopted by voters between 1995 and 2001. UGB’s have not been adopted for the cities of Port Hueneme and Ojai.

------------------

CENTRAL VALLEY:

An excellent review of growth boundaries in the Central Valley is in this study:

http://www.ucop.edu/cprc/documents/sokolow.pdf

Yolo County:

http://www.yololandtrust.org/

To date, Yolo Land Trust has helped landowners place conservation easements on almost 7000 acres, permanently protecting their land for future generations.

From County Parks and OS plan: approximately 1,820 acres in the current (2005) inventory.

http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/futureisnow/m_yolo.asp

Agreements between Yolo County and its cities limit new development to areas within the cities' spheres of influence.

http://www.yolocounty.org/archives/planning/Agendas/a113006-75.pdf

12/14/2006 update of Capay valley general plan: A designation of Urban Growth Boundary as a new policy amendment is proposed to be added to the Land Use maps of the new General Plan. Although the 1982 contained a dotted line around the communities of Capay, Guinda, and Rumsey there was nothing explaining its designation.

http://www.yolocounty.org/archives/LAFCO-Meetings/2004%20Information/Agenda%202004/pdf%206-28-04/Item%2007.pdf

permanent ugb and os protection study for city of Woodland—expected to reach voters in 11/2005

also see plan at http://web.archive.org/web/20060721012910/www.jlmintier.com/WULL_PRD_Final.pdf

http://web.archive.org/web/20060721012853/www.jlmintier.com/wull_flyer.pdf

http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/greenwald2000/openspace.html

We have already protected, or partnered to protect, over 2,400 acres of sensitive wildlife habitat and farmland. Measure O is a $24 dollar a year dwelling unit tax which will, at the end of 30 years, have raised $17.5 million dollars for the acquisition of open space within the Davis planning area.

We currently estimate that the city will be able to protect and maintain about 2,200 acres of open space with the proceeds from this tax. Measure O did pass on Nov 7, 2000 with the popular support of the citizens of Davis.

-----------------------------

Stanislaus County:

Modesto—UGB approved by city council action

Countywide ag conversion to urban requires vote of public until 2038—OK’d 2/2008

http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2008/02/stanislaus-county-voters-back-stamp-out.html

----------------------

Fresno County:

County planners have pushed restrictions on westward development where the best soils are located.

http://www.ucop.edu/cprc/documents/sokolow.pdf

Tulare County:

http://generalplan.co.tulare.ca.us/documents/gp_issues_summary/11-Rural%20Valley%20Lands%20Plan.pdf

http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/futureisnow/m_tulare.asp

In 1974, the eight incorporated cities and the Tulare County Association of Governments adopted the first plan in the Valley to include urban growth boundaries. The plan was amended in 1988. The County plan is also among the only ones in the Valley to explicitly consider the plans of adjoining jurisdictions. (TCGP, Background Report, at 3-72 to 3-75) The County's Rural Valley Lands Plan was one of the first comprehensive farmland preservation plans in the nation, containing an innovative point system for determining when and where development is appropriate. The City of Visalia's general plan includes an innovative set of three concentric growth boundaries pegged to population, thus establishing a standard for average per capita land consumption that could be a model for the Valley. The City of Farmersville won a 2004 Outstanding Planning Award from the American Planning Association for its innovative general plan featuring farmland preservation and smart growth.

-------------------------------

Los Angeles County:

L.A. County does not have any UGB’s. As the county is mostly built-out, there are only a few areas facing significant development pressure that are not within an existing city’s limits. Two notable exceptions are the western Santa Clarita Valley which is owned by the currently bankrupt Newhall Land Company, and the Exxon-Mobil owned parcel in the Chino Hills wildlife corridor in the far eastern county.

Leading the charge in preserving land, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and sister agency the Mountains Restoration and Conservation Authority have helped to preserve over 60,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings linking a ring of preserved lands surrounding the sprawl of L.A. County. See http://smmc.ca.gov/ or http://mrca.ca.gov/ for more information.

---------------------------------

Orange County:

City of San Clemente
11/2008: Voters approved a measure prohibiting rezoning or development of open space lands without voter approval

City of San Juan Capistrano
11/2008: Voters showed their support of open space by approving Measure X, which prohibits any change in designation of open space lands without voter approval

--------------------

San Diego County:

City of Escondido—vote required for major projects within the existing city boundaries since 1998.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BYL/is_/ai_n25032454

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Fish Protection in the Delta Region Could Cut State Aqueduct Supply by 20 to 50%

from http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/docs/enews/2008/cwp_e-news121708.pdf

12/15/2008: State Water Project (SWP) deliveries throughout California could be permanently reduced by up to 50 percent under a new Delta smelt Biological Opinion issued today. Water deliveries to cities, farms and businesses throughout much of the state will be reduced about 20 to 30 percent on average, but cuts could be even greater under certain hydrologic conditions. The opinion, released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will continue reductions in SWP and federal Central Valley Project Delta water exports in effect since a December 2007 federal court order to protect Delta smelt.

to read the new biological opinion from the federal biologists:
http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/delta_update.htm

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Madera County OKs 8,200 homes in the Rio Mesa area

Monday, Dec. 08, 2008, By Chris Collins / The Fresno Bee

excerpted from http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1062482.html

Despite concerns about potential negative environmental effects, increased traffic congestion and inadequate school funding, the Madera County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved two large developments in southeast Madera County's Rio Mesa area.

Supervisors unanimously OK'd a 3,000-home development that will border the northwest portion of Millerton Lake and also voted 5-0 in favor of a 5,200-home urban center that would be mostly east of Highway 41 and south of Avenue 15.

The approval of the two developments marks a step toward completing a long-planned community in the area that eventually will be home to 100,000 people.

A number of other potential developments in the area are seeking approval.

The Millerton Lake project, which will cover more than 2,100 acres of land, was approved after receiving an endorsement from the Chawanakee Unified School District, which negotiated a last-minute deal with developers that will ensure that $60 million from the project will be committed to building future schools.

But the district was vehemently opposed to the second development, called the Tesoro Viejo project, which will cover 1,600 acres and eventually be home to 13,000 people.

School district consultant Marshall Krupp said the district will need $170 million to build future schools in that community, but will be $100 million short after state funds and developer fees.

The tab will be picked up by current and future residents of the entire school district, he said

"In essence, this developer is burdening this project on the backs of others," Krupp said...

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558 Acres are Saved on the American River

12/20/2008, excerpted from:

http://www.sacbee.com/378/story/1488263.html

Two miles of frontage on the north fork of the American River and 558 acres of forest between the Auburn and Folsom Lake state recreation areas will be protected from development forever under a deal that closed this week.

The American River Conservancy purchased a conservation easement for the land, part of the historic Garland Ranch in El Dorado County, conservancy director Alan Ehrgott said.

The land is due east of the river, across the canyon from Auburn and immediately downstream from the old Auburn dam site.

Ehrgott called the deal a major step toward the dream of a 16-mile trail corridor around the east side of Folsom Lake that would connect with the south fork of the American...

http://arconservancy.org/xoops/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=93

The American River Conservancy is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. It has completed 71 conservation projects protecting over 10,600 acres of native fisheries, endangered species habitat and recreational lands. The Conservancy also provides interpretive hikes, educational programs to schools and volunteer opportunities to the greater Sacramento Metropolitan region. The American River Conservancy operates the American River Nature Center which is located at 348 Highway 49, Coloma, California. It can be reached at (530) 621-1224 or at www.arconservancy.org

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The Committee for Green Foothills Year End Report

http://greenfoothills.org

12/12/2008:
Looking back at 2008, Committee for Green Foothills’ local, vocal and effective efforts resulted in:

· Helping successful efforts to stop logging in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

· A well crafted Stewardship Plan for Camp Jones Gulch in San Mateo County.

· Significant contributions to Santa Clara County Habitat Conservation Plan.

· Conducting an educational Farm Tour of South Santa Clara County ranches and farms.

· Working with local citizens to start a “South Valley Environmental Collaborative”.

· Partnering with locals and winning a lawsuit to enforce creek protection in Los Gatos.

· Assisting San Mateo County’s efforts to develop a Watershed Ordinance.

· Providing oversight on Stanford’s developments, and the Habitat Conservation and Sustainable
Development Plans.

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Deal Reached to Save El Cajon Mountain in San Diego

12/2008 news from http://www.sandiegoriver.org/

As an update to the last enews, we have finalized the agreement with the owners of 385 acres at the top of El Cajon Mountain. Fantastic news.

Many of our readers like to support conservation of important wildlife areas. Here is a wonderful opportunity!

If you are considering a year-end donation, how about to our land acquisition fund? $5000 is needed immediately to open the escrow account for this acquisition. Donations of all amounts are appreciated. Contact Rob Hutsel, SDRPF Executive Director for more information at 619-297-7380.

online donation link: http://www.sandiegoriver.org/eagle_acq.php

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ECOSLO Granted Request to Intervene in Carrizo Energy Solar Farm Power Plant Licensing Case

12/15/2008 from http://ecoslo.org

ECOSLO's request to intervene in the licensing case for the Carrizo Energy Solar Farm Power Plant was granted by the California Energy Commission (CEC) on November 24. ECOSLO sought to intervene in this precedent setting case out of concern for the project's potential to harm sensitive wildlife species and plant communities through habitat degradation, fragmentation and interference with wildlife movement. ECOSLO is particularly concerned about this project's potential biological impacts because it is to be located in an area that contains a very high concentration of sensitive and protected wildlife species. ECOSLO is also concerned about the project's potential groundwater, air quality, and land use.

We believe in the necessity for the rapid development of renewable energy; we also believe that we need to carefully evaluate the appropriateness of the proposed sites for industrial facilities such as this power plant. By fully participating in this siting process, ECOSLO will voice local concerns to ensure that the CEC strikes an appropriate balance between conservation of sensitive resources and promotion of renewable energy. ECOSLO is represented by local attorney, Babak Naficy.

Santa Margarita Ranch Board of Supervisors Hearing
December 16th

On November 18th, the board of supervisors voted to approve the Santa Margarita Ranch development proposal (3 to 2). On December 16th, the issue will come up again for the final vote. The proposed project has 11 class 1 impacts; impacts that cannot be avoided or mitigated. This is a precedent setting case in regards to future development in the County. Please Cilck here to read the staff report: http://slocounty.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=31&meta_id=120971

The Santa Margarita Ranch is the last item on the agenda for the 16th. Please consider attending the meeting or e-mailing the board with your thoughts on this important issue.